Rob Ford to appear in court in September to face conflict of interest allegations

TORONTO — In a Toronto courtroom in September, Mayor Rob Ford will answer to conflict of interest allegations that could see him ousted from his position.

Superior Court Justice Charles T. Hackland, who normally sits in Ottawa, will hear the case in Toronto, lawyer Clayton Ruby said in a press release.

The case against Mr. Ford, launched by Mr. Ruby on behalf of resident Paul Magder, claims he violated the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by voting to excuse himself from paying back donations to his football foundation.

It focuses on a Feb. 7 vote in which council debated $3,150 spent on the Rob Ford Football Foundation. Mr. Ford allegedly obtained the funds improperly from company-connected lobbyists and companies, according to the city’s integrity commissioner.

Back in 2010, Janet Leiper, the city’s integrity commissioner, ruled that the Mayor had, as a councillor, improperly solicited and obtained donations for the foundation from registered lobbyists and one company that had dealings with the city.

Council asked him to pay the money back.

He didn’t. Ms. Leiper went before council again in February asking that it demand proof of payment, prompting Mr. Ford to voice his concerns.

“To ask for me to pay it out of my own pocket personally, there’s no sense to this. The money is gone, the money has been spent on football equipment. And that’s how this foundation works, and I’m very proud of it,” the Mayor told council, before he and a majority of council voted to overturn the earlier decision.